Dengue Awareness Month - June

WHAT IS DENGUE FEVER AND DENGUE
HEMORRHAGIC FEVER?
Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.It is also known as "break-bone fever". While Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is a more severe form of dengue infection. It can be fatal if unrecognized and not properly treated in a timely manner. DHF is caused by infection with the same viruses that cause dengue fever.

CAUSES
Four different dengue viruses are known to cause dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue fever occurs when a person is bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the main species that spreads this disease.It lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers. Unlike other mosquitoes Ae. aegypti is a day-time feeder; its peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk. Female Ae. aegypti bites multiple people during each feeding period.

Because dengue hemorrhagic fever is caused by a virus for which there is no known cure or vaccine, the only treatment is to treat the symptoms. These treatments may include:
- A transfusion of fresh blood or platelets to correct bleeding problems
- Intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes to correct electrolyte imbalances
- Oxygen therapy to treat abnormally low blood oxygen
- Rehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration
- Supportive care in an intensive care unit or similar setting

Prevention
Because there is no way to prevent dengue fever, use
personal protection such as:
a. Full-coverage clothing
b. Mosquito nets
c. Mosquito repellent

If possible, travel during times of the day when mosquitoes are less active. Mosquito control programs can also reduce the risk of infection.

2014 STATISTICS ON DENGUE CASES IN THE
PHILIPPINES

A total of 113,485 dengue cases nationwide were recorded in 2014, which is 44.6 percent lower than the 204,906 cases reported in 2013.

Most of the recorded cases were in Region 4-A with 13.2 percent, Region 3 with 12 percent, Region 10 with 10.4 percent, Region 11 with 7.3 percent and Caraga Region with seven percent.